Lock



Feb. 18, 1941. .E. J. BOYLER 2,232,310

, LOCK Filed Ja n. 24, 19:59

VENTOR 61m?) 6] J ZL TTIORNEYW- Patented Feb. 18, 1941 LOCK Emanuel J. Boyler, New Haven, Conn., assignor of.

one-third to Michael Kaplowitz and one-third to George Gitlitz, both of New Haven, Conn. Application January 24, 1939, Serial No. 252,608

6 Claims.

The present invention has relation to locks which may be applied for various uses, but it is more particularly adapted for service in the looking of bicycles and the like.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a simple and efiective lock which cannot be operated without the required key for unlocking it. This improved lock comprises a casing providing a housing for the working mechanism of the lock. This casing is closed against tampering, and carries a clamp by means of which the lock is permanently secured to one member of the fork of a bicycle, for example. Means are provided so that the lock itself cannot be surreptitiously removed from its point of attachment when either in the locked or unlocked position.

The locking device by means of which the wheel of the bicycle is prevented from turning, comprises a U-shaped hasp having a pair of legs which in the locking position are turned into a horizontal position to straddle across both members of the fork between the spokes of a wheel. In this position the said legs lie at right angles to the fork members. In the unlocked position, said hasp is adjusted so that the legs thereof lie at the side of one of the forks parallel therewith.

The improved device is so arranged that the operator must use the necessary key to unlock the look from its effective locking position and the key cannot be withdrawn until the hasp is placed in the disengaged position wherein the hasp covers openings in the casing which give access to the screws by means of which the lock is secured. In the engaged or unlocking position, an inner member operated by the key, covers said opening, so in both the locked and unlocked positions, the lock cannot be removed without use of the key.

An embodiment of the invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a bicycle frame and a section of the wheel with the lock shown in a position ready for locking;

Figure 2 is a plan view showing the improved lock in the released position;

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the lock in an intermediate position;

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the top cover of the casing;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the bottom of the casing;

Figures 6-7 show respectively a plan and an elevation of a sliding latch member;

Figures 8-9 show respectively a plan and an elevation of a floating or companion latch member, and

Figure 10 shows preferred form of key which is employed with the improved lock.

Referring to said drawing, l-l are the fork members of a bicycle, and 2 represents the wheel having the usual spokes 3. 4 designates the improved lock as a whole, and when in use this look is permanently secured by means of clamp 5 to the fork member I by means of set screws 6. The clamp 5 carries the arm I which supports and guides the hasp 8 when the latter is in the locked position. This hasp is U-shaped, and is mounted in a rocking block 9 having trunnions. Bearings ID for said trunnions are provided in the side walls I I of the casing. Said rocking block 9 is permitted to make a quarter turn so that the hasp, which passes through holes in said block, may be turned from the horizontal locking position, as shown in Figure 1 into the vertical released position, as shown in Figure 2.

The working mechanism for effecting the looking and unlocking of the hasp 8 is of a simple form, and is made up of few pieces composed preferably of sheet metal stampings so arranged that assembly is facilitated. Said mechanism comprises a sliding latch member I2 which fits .loosely within the housing l3 and serves as a keeper for the floating locking latch M. This latch has an opening I5 therein which provides a cam fitting the operating key It. ment of this latch member [4 is controlled by the spring I6. and carries a pawl H which in the locking position, under action of said spring, is caused to engage the notch I8 in one leg of the hasp 8.

The floating latch member l4 carries the spring I6 which passes through the turned up edge 19 of the latch I4 and this springbears loosely against the turned up edges 20 of the plate 12, and the tendency of the spring is to swing the latch M from hook 2| so that the pawl I! will engage said notch l8 in hasp 8. It should be noted that the engagement of the said pawl occurs only when the hasp is in the vertical or unlocked position, and the association of this mechanism with the key is such that the latter cannot be withdrawn until the latch I4 is in the position wherein the retaining notch is engaged by said pawl l1. 1

The plate l2 operates to lock the hasp in the position wherein it is placed when the lock is in its effective or looking position, and when, it will be noted, the legs of U-shaped hasp lie hori-' The moveto engage the companion fork member I. The spring 2| controls the sliding movement of the plate l2 so that when the hasp is turned to the horizontal position, notches 22 one on each leg of the hasp 8, are engaged by said rocking block 9.

In Figure 3, the improved lock is shown in an intermediate vertical position wherein none of the notches l8-22 are engaged. The latches or plates l2-|4 are brought into the position shown by the turning of the key and it will be noted that the arrangement is such, that with the operation of the key, the plate I4 is swung over to clear the pawl I1.

When in the position last described, the hasp can be pulled out through the rocking block 9 the full extent permitted by stop 23 on the end of one leg of the hasp. This is the position in which the hasp must be placed to gain access to the screws 6 by means of which the clamp carried by the lock casing, is secured to fork member I. Access to said screws is obtained through the holes 24 in the cover plate 25 and which latter plate is secured to the housing by means of turned in lugs 26.

The key cannot be withdrawn until the hasp, in the vertical position, is down the fullest extent so that the pawl l'! engages the notch l8. In this position the legs of the hasp cover the holes 24 so that access cannot be gained to remove the screws, and thereby permit removal of the lock. Other means are employed for preventing access to these screws when the hasp is in the horizontal position, wherein the lock prevents the turning of the wheel 2. In order to close the openings which permit access to the screws, a loose sliding plate 2'1, shown in dotted lines, is placed under the cover and over the latches l2--M, and this plate 21 has the projecting lugs 28 which are engaged by the hasp when the latter is placed into the horizontal locking position, and the hasp then holds the plate 2'! in position to prevent access to said screws.

The top plate 25 is provided with the key hole 29 and this key hole registers with the key post 30 which is fixedly secured on the bottom of the casing as shown in Figure 2. This post guides the key into proper relative position with the lug 3! on the latch member l4 and this lug may be changed by lengthening or shortening it to vary the key used for unlocking. The depth of the bore in the post 30 can be varied and by this means and variance of said lug 3|, many combinations for the keys can be obtained.

When the lock is packed for shipping, the hasp is in the vertical position parallel with the casing, therefore to secure the lock to the bicycle fork, the key must be used to open the lock to permit raising of the hasp to gain access to the screws which fasten the lock to said fork. To withdraw the key, the hasp must be placed in a position so that either of the notches l8 or 22 are engaged.

In the operation of the device, to bring the hasp 8 into the locking position said hasp is pulled out through the rocking block or member 9 until the stop 23 at the end of one leg of the hasp is engaged with said block 9. The hasp is then turned with said block at right angles and the hasp is pushed through holes 4' in the casing 4 and thence through holes in the supporting arm 1. In Figure l, the hasp 8 is not shown in its full eflective locking position wheremeans zontally and pass between spokes of the wheel in the hasp must be pushed home so that the notches 22 are in alignment with the latch plate l2. The spring 2| acting on this latch plate l2 will then force the pawls or projections I2 of said plate into engagement with said notches 22 and to release this engagement the key must be used to operate the latch l2.

Modifications may be made in carrying out the details of the invention hereinbefore described, and it is to be understood that any modification coming fairly within the terms of the appended claims shall be covered thereby.

I claim:

1. A look for a bicycle comprising a casing carrying a clamp adapted for permanent fastening on one member of the fork of the bicycle frame, a sliding U-shaped hasp passing through and supported by a rocking member rotatably mounted in said casing, said hasp turning with said rocking member so as to be adjust-able into a horizontal position at right angles to said fork member so as to slide into the locking position wherein the wheel of the bicycle and a companion fork member are engaged; said hasp when released being withdrawn from its locking position and turned with said rocking member to place said hasp in a vertical position parallel with the supporting fork member and means comprising cooperating spring actuated latch devices engaging notches in said hasp for maintaining said hasp in a locking position.

2. A locking device adapted to be attached to the fork of a bicycle frame and having means adapted to be positioned between the spokes of a wheel mounted in the frame, said locking device comprising a casing permanently secured to one member of said fork, locking mechanism contained within said casing, said casing having a clamp fixedly secured thereto whereby said locking device is secured to said one member of the fork, a U-shaped hasp carried by a rockable member in said casing, and slidably connected to said member whereby said hasp may slide on and turn with the rockable member to wheel engaging and disengaging positions, and locking means comprising said locking mechanism whereby said hasp is locked in either the engaging or disengaging position.

3. A locking device adapted to be attached to the fork of a bicycle frame and having means adapted to be positioned between the spokes of a wheel mounted in the frame, said locking device comprising a casing permanently secured to one member of said fork, locking mechanism contained within said casing, said casing having a clamp fixedly secured thereto whereby said locking device is secured to said one member of the fork, a U-shaped hasp carried by a rockable member in said casing, and slidably connected to said member whereby said hasp may slide on and turn with the rockable member to wheel engaging and disengaging positions, locking comprising said locking mechanism whereby said hasp is locked in either the engaging or disengaging positions, and said clamp having an arm projecting therefrom providing an extended support for said hasp when the latter is in a position to engage said wheel.

4. A locking device adapted to be attached to the fork of a bicycle frame and having means adapted to be positioned between the spokes of a wheel mounted in the frame, said locking device comprising a casing permanently secured to one member of said fork, locking mechanism contained within said casing, said casing having a clamp fixedly secured thereto whereby said locking device is secured to said one member of the fork, a U-shaped hasp carried by a rockable member in said casing, and slidably connected to said member whereby said hasp may slide on and turn with the rockable member to wheel engaging and disengaging positions, and said locking mechanism comprising spring controlled latch members engaging notches in said hasp whereby said hasp is locked in either its operative or inoperative positions.

5. A locking device adapted to be attached to the fork of a bicycle frame and having means adapted to be positioned between the spokes of a wheel mounted in the frame, said locking device comprising a casing permanently secured to one member of said fork, locking mechanism contained within said casing, said casing having a clamp fixedly secured thereto whereby said locking device is secured to said one member of the fork, a U-shaped hasp carried by a rockable member in said casing, and slidably connected to said member whereby said hasp may slide on and turn with the rockable member to wheel engaging and disengaging positions, and said locking mechanism comprising interlocking spring controlled latches operated by a key engaging notches in said hasp and arranged so that said key cannot be withdrawn unless the hasp is locked in either its full operative or inoperative position.

6. A locking device adapted to be attached to the fork of a bicycleframe and having means adapted to be positioned between the spokes of a wheel mounted in the frame, said locking device comprising a casing permanently secured to one member of said fork, locking mechanism contained within said casing,- said casing having a clamp fixedly secured thereto whereby said locking device is secured to saidione member of the fork, a U-shaped hasp carried by a rockable member in said casing, and slidably connected to said member whereby said hasp may slide on and turn with the rocka'ble member to wheel engaging and disengaging positions, and said looking mechanism comprising a sliding plate having projections engaged by said hasp and adapted to cover holes through which access is obtained to the screws securing said clamp to said fork when said hasp is in the inoperative position.

EMANUEL J. BOYLER. 

